Toot & Puddle

Mercury Filmworks is thrilled to announce its partnership with acclaimed producer National Geographic Kids on “Toot & Puddle,” a 26 half-hour animated television series based on the stunning and whimsical series of illustrated books by celebrated author and artist Holly Hobbie.

The show follows the adventures of two fun-loving, inquisitive, but very different best friends. Toot is a young pig on-the-go—a globe-travelling adventurer. He loves to explore and is constantly on the lookout for a new challenge. Puddle is the backyard explorer of the pair. Although he enjoys travelling, he is more interested in finding fun closer to home and paying meticulous attention to all of life’s little details.

First and foremost, “Toot & Puddle” is about friendship and all of the happiness and knowledge a lasting bond can bring.  The fun and adventurous show is designed to encourage exploration and adventure both at home and afar by piquing kids’ natural curiosity about the world around them.

“Toot & Puddle” will air in Canada on the Corus Treehouse kid’s network and in the US on Nickelodeon’s Noggin preschool network. Air dates have not been confirmed, but the series is expected to premiere on both broadcasters’ fall 2008 schedule.

Executive Produced by Mercury’s Clint Eland (Weird Years, Wilbur, Gerald McBoing Boing), the series is overseen by Supervising Producer Marianne Culbert (Wilbur, Big Big World, Little Bear, Maggie & the Ferocious Beast) and Creative Producer Jerry Popowich (Weird Years, Mischief City, Undergrads). Director Christian Larocque and an all-star “who’s who” team of Canadian animators collaborate to bring “Toot & Puddle” to animated life.

Supervising production for National Geographic is National Geographic Kids’ President Donna Meir and veteran children’s television executive Tara Sorenson, along with VP of Production, Melanie Grisanti.

“The ‘Toot & Puddle’ series captures the essence of National Geographic’s brand and mission by encouraging exploration and adventure,” says Friedman Meir.

“We’re delighted to be working with Donna Meir and her team at National Geographic Kids on this brilliant and extraordinary property,” comments Eland. “While Mercury is well known for the quality of its work, I’d judge by the level of excitement and talent on this project that ‘Toot & Puddle’ will set a new benchmark, on its way to becoming an instant classic.”

 The series, available in all territories as a companion to the “Toot & Puddle” home video hit, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” is being represented internationally by National Geographic International’s Karen Vermeulen.